Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State softball team closed out
their 2001 season with a 5-0 loss to Appalachian State, Friday in the
Southern Conference Softball Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.

There were some ups and downs in the Bucs inaugural campaign, but the
season was largely a success.

ETSU finished the season at 14-35, 9-11 in Southern Conference play.
The nine SoCon wins were the most ever by a first-year team in
conference history. The Bucs took series from Appalachian State, College
of Charleston, Georgia Southern and UNC Wilmington.

The Bucs began the season on a 13-game road trip, travelling to such
places as Houston, Tex. and Baton Rouge, La. They picked up the first
win in program history on Feb. 17, a 3-2 victory over Stephen F. Austin
at the University of Houston Tournament.

Kiwanis Park certainly provided a home-field advantage for the Bucs, as
ETSU went 8-8 at home compared to 5-21 on the road. The Bucs were
victorious in their first home games, sweeping Lambuth University in a
doubleheader, 8-0 and 8-7.

Many Buccaneers finished the season among the leagueās statistical
leaders. Shortstop Melanie Collins and third baseman Judith St. Clair
tied for second in the conference in doubles with 13. St. Clair also
finished ninth in the SoCon in slugging percentage at .441.

On the mound, freshman Tiffany Vandergriff proved to be one of the
Southern Conferenceās finest pitchers. She finished the season in the
SoCon top-10 in virtually every pitching category. She was first in
complete games (23), second in innings pitched (189.0) and games started
(27), fourth in appearances (32), fifth in strikeouts (94) and shutouts
(3) and seventh in wins (11). She was also one of ETSUās top offensive
threats, finishing 10th in the conference in batting average (.317) and
on base percentage (.387).